Secondary (Emergency) Roof Drains

NYC Plumbing Code § PC 1108

in effect

Section PC 1108: Secondary (Emergency) Roof Drains 1108.1 Secondary (emergency overflow) drains or scuppers. Where roof drains are required, secondary (emergency overflow) roof drains or scuppers shall be provided where the roof perimeter construction extends above the roof in such a manner that water will be entrapped if the primary drains allow buildup for any reason. The inlet elevation of secondary (overflow) drains and the invert elevation of overflow scuppers should be not less than 2 inches (51 mm) or more than 4 inches (102 mm) above the low point of the (adjacent to) roof surface unless a safer water depth loading, including the required hydraulic head to maintain required flow rate out of the overflow drainage system that has been determined by the structural design. Where primary and secondary roof drains are manufactured as a single assembly, the inlet and outlet for each drain shall be independent. 1108.2 Separate systems required. Secondary roof drain systems shall have the end point of discharge separate from the primary system. Discharge shall be above grade, in a location that would normally be observed by the building occupants or maintenance personnel. Exception: Secondary drainage system may tie into the primary drainage system in the vertical conductors where separate systems are impractical or to prevent water from flowing over sidewalk or pedestrian walkways. 1108.3 Sizing of secondary drains. Secondary (emergency) roof drain systems shall be sized in accordance with Section 1106 based on the rainfall rate of 3 inches (76 mm) per hour. Scuppers shall be sized to prevent the depth of ponding water from exceeding that for which the roof was designed as determined by Section 1101.7. Scuppers shall have an opening dimension of not less than 4 inches (102 mm). The flow through the primary system shall not be considered when sizing the secondary roof drain system. Exception: Where secondary drainage systems tie into primary drainage systems, the combined primary and secondary system shall be sized based on their combined rainfall rate of 6 inches (152 mm) per hour.

Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-163470Fetched: 10/24/2026